Charlie McCann's Horse Racing Tips Sunday, 27 September - Epsom & Curragh
Charlie heads to the Curragh on Sunday for his best bet
It's a busy day of racing action in the UK and Ireland, and Charlie McCann is here with his exclusive free horse racing tips - only at FreeBets.
1:37pm Epsom - Give Hand
Regal Tiger has been taken out of four races at the eleventh hour – three times ground-related and once got upset going into the stalls – since he was last seen finishing second at Windsor back in July.
He was carried across the track and might have been an unlucky loser last time, and the winner has followed up from a 5lbs higher mark and is now 10lbs higher while Hugo Palmer's juvenile has only taken a 3lbs hike. That Windsor run was over 6f, but this additional furlong holds no terrors, and Oisin Murphy keeps the ride.
Regal Tiger receives 3lbs from the interestingly named GIVE HAND, and I just favour the Harry Charlton trained two-year-old who ran well when third over course and distance last time in Novice company. He has a better draw (3) than Regal Tiger (7) and, after just two starts, is open to further improvement.
I thought he would be stepping up to a mile when staying on well here earlier in the month, but Charlton has his string in good form (five winners from thirty juvenile turf runners) and he gets the vote with jockey Lewis Edmunds (7 winners from his last 40 rides) riding out of his skin at present.
Note a big run from Give Hand would be a boost for the chances of Quite Cheeky in the following race. If prices allow – none at time of writing - I will back Regal Tiger and Give Hand, but marginal preference is for the latter.
Recommendation: Give Hand - 7/2 with bet365
3:57pm Epsom - Echelar
Matins has only beaten four horses in winning his two starts to date and, while the Salisbury runner-up is a subsequent winner, his opening mark of ninety-five looks harsh enough although he can do no more than beat what is put in front of him. He could be anything but is likely to be short enough on handicap debut and holds no fancy entries for his powerful connections.
ECHELAR has been raised 2lbs since finishing second at Yarmouth last time under Billy Loughnane, but he looked an unlucky loser and would surely have won with a clear run. That was on good to soft ground, but he had previously got up close home to win going away at Doncaster on good to firm in an apprentice handicap.
Loughnane keeps the ride this afternoon, and the four-year-old has improved since being stepped up to 10f in recent months. Yes, there is every chance that a mark of 95 underestimates the ability of Matins, but both his wins have been at a mile, and he is not guaranteed to appreciate this additional two furlongs.
Recommendation: Echelar - 11/2 with bet365
4:20pm Curragh - Valiancy (Each-Way) (Nap)
A high draw has been an advantage in the Irish Cesarewitch since the introduction of starting stalls back in 2022, and The Reverend (15) looks a worthy market leader for the powerful connections of Tony Bloom/Willie Mullins.
The vote, however, goes to VALIANCY (drawn in stall 5), who will appreciate both the drop back in trip to an extended 2m and the cut in the ground, having looked all at sea over 2m4f+ on fast ground at Goodwood last time. I thought he looked one to follow on decent ground when scoring at Hamilton over 1m5f back in the spring, and I will be disappointed if he cannot add to that facile success between now and the end of term, granted a bit of cut in the ground.
Joseph and Aidan O'Brien have dominated the race in recent years, sharing the last four renewals, and Joseph saddles no less than fourteen of the thirty-runner field. Note Port Of Spain (6) is the only representative for Coolmore, and I am not convinced the three-year-old has the necessary stamina, although the classic generation have a good record in the race.
Recommendation: Valiancy (Each-Way) (Nap) - 12/1 with Ladbrokes (5 places)
This is Charlie's Nap of the Day selection - see how it stacks up against Alan Kelly's pick too.
*Betting odds correct at the time of publication. All odds are subject to changes.
For more daily previews across every sport, check out our full betting tips hub, and head to our guide on the best betting sites for the latest sign-up offers to back today's selections.
More Horse Racing Tips
Check out more from the Freebets horse racing hub, including tips, stats, market movers and today’s racecards!
